Raw vs. Cooked: Compared to raw spinach, cooking destroys a large amount of oxalate, which, in turn, makes minerals such as iron and calcium more readily absorbed.

Use a food thermometer: Grill marks don’t mean food is fully cooked. Use a food thermometer to check the inside temperature: Beef, pork, lamb: 145°F (with 3-minute rest). Ground meats: 160°F.

The different colors help me to remember which pair of tongs I used for raw food (red), like chicken, and which are safe to use for the cooked food (green). And remember to use a separate clean ...